Froome all but clinches Tour with time trial win
July 21, 2016
A 17 kilometre time trial does not sound much but the route was an almost constant climb through the strength-sapping Alps. It was the perfect occasion for mountain specialist Froome to show the rest of the Tour who is boss and he did so in style.
His victory on stage 18 from the hotly-tipped Tom Dumoulin demonstrated how one-sided this year's race has been. His margin of victory was 21 seconds after managing the course in just 30 minutes, 43 seconds. Most mere mortals would have got off the bike halfway.
"I really didn't expect to beat Tom Dumoulin. Pacing was key. I started steady and controlled the first part and then really went for it over the top. I'm really happy with that," the Team Sky rider said after powering between Sallanches and Megeve.
The Briton's three minute 52 second advantage overall from Dutchman Bauke Mollema is about as insurmountable as it gets for a man in such great form.
Adam Yates, another Briton, is third while supposed main rival Nairo Quintana of Colombia is 4:37 behind Froome in fourth.
Two more mountain stages follow before the traditional procession through Paris on Sunday when barring one of the greatest calamities sport has ever seen, Froome will retain his Tour title and win his third yellow jersey overall.